Staffordshire Schools Football Association

Managers Kieran Newey and Oz Rowley havee naled the following squad for their home semi final tie against Lincolnshire which will take place on Monday 23rd of April at Stafford Town FC with a 6-00pm KO. Admission will be £3 adults and £1 concessions. The girls should arrive at the ground as near to five as possible and usual dress code applies.

The Under 14 Boys finished their programme at Stafford Town last night sliding to 3-2 defeat at the hands of Champions elect Warwickshire. A season which has shown great promise and with a season of representative football under their belts then the management team will expect them to kick on again next season.

Next Monday, 23rd of April the Under 16 girls will entertain Lincolnshire in The MCF semi final at Stafford Town FC with a 6--00pm KO. Admission will be £3 and £1 concessions. The winners of the tie will play Worcestershire or Derbyshire in the final.

The 30th ofApril will see the Under 16 Boys take on Nottinghamshire in the semi fianl of the MCF Trophy with Humberside awaiting the winners in the final. The game is at Stafford Town FC with 7-00pm KO and Nottinghamshire are Under 16 National finalists so a tough encounter is guaranteed.

On Friday the 27th of April the Under 18 boys travel to Brooksby Melton College to take on Humberside in the MCF Final.with a 7-00pm KO As in the U16 game the U18 boys will come up against a team which has reached the national finals and inficted the only defeat of the season on the current squad.

The first two Individual Schools finals were played at Stafford Town FC last week and both games provided a feast of entertainment and a glut of goals for the spectators. In the Under 13 final Endon HS met Oldfields Hall middle school and Endon, who had entered this year for the first time in many years ran out winners by 6-4.

The Under 14 final provided a repeat of last years Under 13 final with the same result. The game contested by two Burton Schools, John Taylor Academy and De Ferrers Academy went the way of De Ferrers by the odd goal in five. A keenly contested match there was nothing between the two teams and both were impressive with their technical ability and committment..

The next two finals again take place at Stafford Town FC on Friday 20th of April when the U15 and U16 boys take centre stage. The Under 15 game between Repton and Trentham Academy will KO at 5-30 followed by the U16 final between Biddulph and Repton or Westwood

On the representative front Lilly Jackson of Clayton Hall Academy and Lydia Hudson of Friary returned home from the Bob Docherty International Tournament with runners up medals. The England side beat Northern Ireland and Wales before losing out to the Republic of Ireland in the final.

The Under 18 Boys smashed nearest rivals Shropshire by 7-2 in the MCF giving them the western dividion title again and they now go on to meet national finalists Humberside in the final at Melton Mowbray on the 27th of April. Standout performance from Declan Arber who bagged 5 goals adding to the four he clocked against the same opposition in the away fixture.

On Tuesday the U14 girls were well beaten by 6-0 by a strong West Midlands outfit but the Under 16 Girls down to the bare bones through unavailability drew 1-1 in a game that they dominated for long periods.

The Under 16 squad completed a perfect eight from eight when the beat both Worcestershire and West Midlands away in the MCF western division.

Worcestershire were dispatched by 4-0 with skipper Conor Taylor slotting home two penalties and he scored another in the 4-2 victory against West Midlands helped by a brace from Christian Blanchette and a further goal from Max Chimines.

They will now have a home tie in their semi final against opponents from the Eastern Division.

The Under 18s earned a hard earned draw in their game against West Midlands ten men with a squad riven with 11 absentees through unavailability and injury. They must now beat Shropshire next Monday to qualify for a final against Humberside in early April.

The Under 16 Girls game tonight has been called off because of the adverse weather conditions and the forecast difficulties and risks of travelling in such conditions.

The following match report comes from manager Kieran Newey. Staffordshire were much the better side for long periods of the match but could not find the elusive goal that they needed but the outstanding performance against the competition favourites will stand the squad in good stead for their Midland Counties fixtures.

England School's Under 15 Girls

v

Republic of Ireland  School's Under 15 Girls

Saturday 10 th March KO 3-00pm

at

Stafford Town FC

Ground Admission £3 Concessions £2 Car Parking £1

Gates open at 1-30pm

Tickets available in advance by contacting staffordshiresfasec@gmail.com

The Under 16 Girls play in the quarter final of the ESFA Inter County Trophy on Tuesday at the JMO sports complex, Skelmersdale against Lancashire SFA with the winners facing an away tie against Northumberkand in the semi final. Staffordshire will go with plenty of confidence following their 5-0 win at Shropshire when missing  five first choice players. Lydia Hudson who was called up by the ESFA England XI and marked her debut aginst Dutch opposition with a brace of goals.

Lydia becomes the second girl from Friary in Lichfield to represent England School's and her team mate at County level and school Freya Gregory, has been in Switzerland with the FA Under 15 squad.following the exploits of Milly Elson.

The boys Under 15 squad resume their programme on Monday the 26th with a home game against Shropshire and will be hoping to continue with theircurrent good form before they start a run of away games. Managers Dan Dawson and Gary Spruce name the squad below

Jordan Clarke

Luke Kelly

Sonny Bates

Fin Ballantyne

Oliver Whatchorn-Rice

Callum Carter

Jack Taylor

Lewis Rowley

Elliot Tibbs

Anye Fowujah

Aidan Braxton Lloyd

Conor Lawton

jack Brammer

Jack Miles

Brandon Oakley

Stand By

Tom Nichols

Harrison Davis

Players should meet at Stafford Town FC at 6-00pm for a 7-00pm KO with the usual dress code applying.

There will be a £3 admission charge with £1 concessions.

Last night spectators fortunate enough to be at Thomas Telford School witnessed one of the most entertaining but bizarre games of football between these two local rivals. Staffordshire showing a side with five debutants die to illness, injury, and International call ups played a tealented Shropshire side who head the MCF table.

Both teams started brightly but Staffordshire drew first blood after 12 minutes and 10 minutes later led by 3-0. Shropshire reduced the defecit two minutes before half time and drew level with two goals in as many minutes at the start of the second half. They then dominated play and looked the most likely team to score but strangley Staffordshire rattled in three goals in a ten minute spell to look in control of their own destiny. Shropshire however repeated their earlier heroics by scoring three goals in a short period of time the equaliser coming after a shocking decision from the referee who allowed play to continue after a terrrible foul on a Staffordshire defender. However a draw was probably a fair result but young Declan Arber, the Staffordshire centre forward can seldom have scored a hat trick and not been on a winning side.

The Under 14 Girls game at Staffrd Town FC this evening has been postponed due to the fact that the pitch is covered in frozen snow.

The girls next scheduled game is Monday 26th of September at Worcester. More details to follow.

The Under 18 game is on at Thomas Telford School KO7-00pm.

The Under 16 Girls played Shropshire at Thomas Telford School in an MCF fixture last week and won the game convincingly to maintain their position at the head of the MCF western division league table.

Manager Kieran Newey posts the following match report:

Staffordshire Schools travelled to Shropshire with a depleted squad due to unavailability and illness but they produced a 5 star performance once Ella Spears opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner. Both teams were playing some excellent football and Shropshire looked likely to equalise but quick thinking from Grace Tolmie saw her nick the ball away as the forward was preparing to shoot. The outstanding Katie Johnson extended the lead with a thunderbolt of a strike following a neat passage of play involving Lilly Anderson, Charlie Braganca,, Jenny Higgs and Demi McCalliog. Staffordshire were causing Shropshire numerous problems with Nuala Miskiel running at the defence at every opportunity, Staffs defence was excellently marshalled by Gemma Lawley and Lucy Copeland who showed real composure when under pressure. Demi McCalliog increased the lead when she beat the onrushing keeper to the ball to bravely fire home, following more great work from Jenny Higgs. A change of formation worked brilliantly as Staffs extended their lead within seconds of the restart as a fabulous pass from Katie Johnson picked out the run of Issy Anderson and she finished superbly over the advancing keeper. The 2nd half was now all about game management with the only sub available being goalkeeper Chloe Swindell who was able to complete the 45mins with a clean sheet. Jenny Higgs added a deserved 5th goal to cap a fine performance as Staffs look forward to their quarter final game against Lancashire next week.

As Kieran aluded to in the report the girls travel to the JMO sports centre in Skelmersdale to take on Lancashire Schools FA in the quarter final of the ESFA competition, KO 3-30pm.

The following squad has been named by Kieran and travelling arrangements have been organised by him with all of the parents.

The Under 18 Boys are in action at Thomas Telford School on Monday against Shropshire Schools FA in an MCF fixture in a battle between the two unbeaten teams in the group.. Players are asked to meet manager Mark Culverhouse as near to six as possible and the usual dress code applies.

The Under 14 girls will host National semi finalists West Midlands at Stafford Town FC with a 7-00pm KO. The same squad as last weeks winners against Shropshire have been named and players need to report to the ground at 6-00pm. Usual dress code applies and there will be an admission charge of £3 adults and £1 concessions.

These are the last games before the half term break.

The Under 16 Boys game at Shrewsbury SportsVillage has been called OFF due to a frozen pitch.

The Under 16 Girls game at Thomas Telford will go ahead as it is played on 3G

On Monday night coaches Spruce and Dawson had grins on their faces as wide as is possible. The Under 15 Boys achieved a winning result after yet another barnstorming performance . They took their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Worcestershire following up their excellent performance in the 3-3 draw against West Midlands. The management team always had faith in the group and the boys delivered in true style on Monday having taken great strength in character for a number of defeats by the odd goal. This victory will surely allow them to kick on up the MCF table.

At the same time the Under 14 girls were visiting Shropshire in an MCF fixture. They ran out comfortable winners by 3-1 to lead the league table with goals from Ashleigh Hopson, Brogan Pugh and Evie Quinn. The same squad will meet West Midlands U14 Girls on Monday 12th at Stafford Town FC KO 7-000pm and this will prove to be their stiffest test with West Midlands girls having qualified for the national semi finals.

Tomorrow night the U16 boys and girls will be in action in Shropshire. The U16 girls travel to Thomas Telford School looking for a win to strengthen their grip on the top of the MCF table whilst the boys will play at Shrewsbury Sports Village aiming to keep up with their 100% record in the MCF competition.

A reminder that Staffordshire Schools FA are hosting England v Republic of Ireland at Stafford Town on the 10th of March KO 3-00pm. Ground Admission is only £3 and £2 concessions socome along and see high quality girls football in Staffordshire,

Tickets avilable by using the order form on the advert on the website or contact;

staffordshiresfasec@gmail.com

The Under 16 Girls qualify for the National quarter Finals with a hard earned draw at Worcester and retain their place at the head of the Western MCF league. Manager Kieran Newey sends the following match report;

The Under 14 Girls game scheduled for Monday the 15th of January has been called off by Worcestershire due to a staffing issue. The game will be re-arranged later in the year. The away game has been arranged for the 26th of February at Nunnery Wood School in Worcester with a 7-00pm KO

The girls will play on the 5th Feb. against Shropshire at Thomas Telford KO 6-00pm and 12th Feb against West Midlands at Stafford Town FC KO 7-00pm.

Apologies for the postponement but it was out of our control.

David Neligwa who attends Newcastle College has been selected to represent England Schools Under 18's for the forthcoming International programme. David, a former Wolstanton pupil, has represented Staffordshire for the past four years and all at Staffordshire School's wish him well for the Centenary Shield programme which kicks off with a game against the Republic of Ireland at Luton Town FC in March.

Three other Staffordshire boys, all of whom attend Codsall, Declan arber, Conor Grant and Brad Sharman performed well but missed out on selection for the final squad. As a county we are extremely proud of their achievements and to reach the last 32 from the hundreds who started out is something which will be a very positive point on their CV's.

David follows in the footsteps of Joe Hartshorne and Aiden Stone who played for England over the past two seasons and maintains a proud tradition of Staffordshire SFA providing ESFA International players for both the boys and girls teams.

This Sunday will see two girls trying to make the ESFA England U15 squad when they play in the final trial. Lilly Jackson from Clayton Hall School and Lydia Hudson from Friary will have the best wishes of all in Staffordshire. Staffordshire have had at least one player in the girls International team since its inception and the girls will be trying to emulate Milly Elson(Friary), Holly Gibson (Discovery), Anna King (Wolgarston, Hannah Hampton ( EDA ) Phoebe Warner ( Ounsdale ) and Gemma Lawley ( Wolgarston )

The girls below will be the squad for the game against Worcestershire on Monday night at Stafford Town FC.

Cox Aaliyah Great Wyrley

Harding Niamh Madeley

Akers Hannah De Ferrers

Hill Phoebe Cheslyn Hay

Gill Megan Walton

Moran Katie John Taylor Academy

Riley Lauren Friary

Adams Abigail Birches Head

Quinn Evie Rawlett

Ellis Millie The Hart School

Marston Caitlin Alleynes Academy

Jackson Lilly Clayton Hall

Hopson Ashleigh Weston Road

Acheampong Sandra The Hart School

Marston Phoebe Alleynes Academy

Anderson Lexi Weston Road

Anderson Nina Weston Road

Both Under 14 teams are in action on Monday 15th of January against Worcestershire in MCF competitions.

The Under 14 Girls play first at 6-00pm and their squad will be announced later. Players should meet as near to 5-00pm as possible and the usual dress code applies. Admission will be £3 adults and £1 concessions.The Under 14 Boys kick off at 7-15 and players should meet at 6-00pm and again the usual dress code applies. Manager Bailey Evans has named the following squad for the game;

1. Kyle Curtis

2. George Lenton

3. Tom Hinton

4. Ben Arden

5. Fletcher Cotton

6. Danny Sanders (C)

7. Charlie Pearsall

8. Lucas Yeomans

9. Demeki Watson

10. Charlie Finney

11. Kurt Booth

12. Liam Steele

13. Callum Niven

14. Jack Thomas

15. Joe Baxter

16. Morgan Russell

Next Monday 15th of January the Under 16 Girls travel to Nunnery Wood School to take on Worcestershire in a match which will determine which side progresses to the quarter finals of the ESFA national competition. The Staffordshire girls have won both of their fixtures to date, as have Worcestershire but Staffordshire have a superior goal difference and a draw will be enough to take them through.

Manager Kieran Newey has named the following squad,

Charlie Braganca

Lucy Copeland

Bonnie dawson

Manuelle Della

Freya Gregory

Katie Johnsom

jenny Hesketh

Jenny Higgs

Lydia Hudson

Gemma Lawley

Courtney Mace

Demi MCCalliog

Nualla Miskiel

Chloe Swindell

Grace Tomie

Macey Turvey

Standby

Macey Isherwood

Sophie Price

Players should aim to be at Nunnery Wood as near to 6-00 as possible and usual dress code applies.

For Sat Nav  the postcode isWR5 2LT

Nunnery Wood High School

This information was published on the Staffordshire Schools twitter account. As the person who posts on the website apologies for the delay but a medical emergency involving a long stay in hospital is the reason for the delay. Sometimes football has to come second.

The coaches are very grateful to all the boys who trialled and for the support of the parents. The following provisional squad have been invited to represent Staffordshire for the forthcoming season Can all players respond to match co-ordinator Mark Warren with their parental e mail and mobile telephone number  school attended. If you were in the squad last season this is not necessary unless there has been a changr in circumstances. Contact warrenmark7@btinternet.com

Jordan Clarke

Luke Kelly

Callum Carter

Anye Fowujah

Jack Taylor

Elliot Tibbs

Finlay Ballantyne

Oliver Watchorn Rice

Louie Inskip

Sonny Bates

Jack Brammer

Aidan Braxton Lloyd

Tom Nicholls

Rhys Latocha

Connor Lawton

George Yarwood

Josh Milner

Brandon Oakley

Jack Miles

Charlie Pye

Lewis Rowley

Harrison Davies

The boys named below have been selected to represent Staffordshir SFA Under 16's for the forthcoming season. The coaches have said how difficult it was to make the final cut and tryin to get the balance of the squad has proved particularly difficult.The Association wish to thank all who trialled and wish them well for the forthcoming season.

All boys selected are asked to make contact with the U16 match co-ordinator Mark Warren to furnish him with details of parents e mail, mobile telephone number, school attended. Boys who played last year do not need to do this unless there has been a change of information

warrenmark7@btinternet.com

As the season fast approaches and the final trials are organised it is the time of year when decisions are made by parents as to which teams their sons or daughters should play. As ever the most talented players are sought by all but football academies and RTC's put undue pressure on parents to prevent their offspring playing in any other form of football.

A reality check should be made and a book written by the sportswriter of the year NO HUNGER in PARADISE should be compulsory reading for players parents and coaches. It describes the extraordinary lengths that some parents go to try and ensure that their son/daughter is one of the chosen few and Staffordshire Schools FA have permission from the author to put extracts on the website.

However as the person who posts on the website and with 47 years experience of dealing with clubs parents scouts and agents the view is somewhat jaundiced. Last year only two clubs in the premiere league were unable to record the fact that not one player from their academy set up over the previous seven or eight years had any minutes on the pitch for the first team, Stoke City and Burnley, two of the worst culprits in discouraging players from playing elsewhere.

Joe Sbarra and Ben Fox are in the Burton Albion first team squad at 18 and 19 yet played almost every minute of every county game over a three year period. Ryan Giggs played for Greater Manchester, David Beckham for Essex, Alan Shearer for Northumberland and what harm did they come to. Huddersfield and Brentford are considering closing their academies as they do not give value for money.

When your raison detre is to produce young players capable of playing at the highest level then how can an academy which has not produced one player for first team football in the past five or six years be worth the money spent on it and what monitoring goes on.

If it was a school then Ofsted would b putting the establishment into special measures.

We want our best players to have the best coaching and opportunities but not at the expense of their personal and social development and the opportunity to play with their peers.Please read the recommended book it is a real eye opener.

There will be extracts on this website in the coming weeks.

The contact function on the website is still causing problems and no information is coming to the website which means that communication and information is static. The e mail address dansam@mail.com is also putting all communications into spam and is not allowing the e mails to be opened.

Until the problems are resolved it is imperative that all communication by e mail uses the e mail address below which has bee specifically set up for this purpose.

Anyone who has sent an e mail in the last 10 days is asked to resend.

Apologies for the inconvenience but this is completely out of the control of the School's FA and the guy behind the website is working very hard to resolve the issue.

staffordshiresfasec@gmail.com

@staffsschoolsfa will allow all to follow what is going on and will supplement the information available on the website.

Follow the account which is being run by Under 15 team Manager Bailey Evans.